Method for conducting a wagering game

ABSTRACT

A method for conducting a wagering game includes defining a game board with at least one starting point and an out position separated by multiple intermediary points. Markers are located at the starting point or starting points and wagers are received. Wagers designate one or more starting points and one of an intermediary point or an out position. Move numbers are generated and the markers are moved from the starting point along intermediary points toward the out position. Wagers are resolved based on the movement of the markers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods for conducting wagering games. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for conducting a wagering game in which a player places a wager, at least one move number is generated, at least one marker is moved, and the wagers are resolved based on the movement of a marker.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many games in which a player moves markers across a game board. Chess, checkers, backgammon, or the like are examples of such games. For example, backgammon is a well-known game. As may be appreciated by those familiar with the game, the objective of backgammon is to move one's markers past an opponent's markers and off the board. A backgammon board is generally rectangular and symmetrical across the center axes. Each side of the board has 12 triangles, or “points.” Two end points are considered to be connected, so that the points form a continuous track of twenty-four points. The points are numbered “1” through “24” with the general direction of play being from the point numbered 24 toward the point numbered 1. However, the players move in opposite directions, that is, one player's 1-point is his opponent's 24-point, and vice versa.

Certain points, namely points numbered 1 through 6, are called an inner board and other points, namely points numbered 7 through 12, are called an outer board. Backgammon boards commonly include a raised board or a crease to separate the inner board from the outer board.

Markers are moved using two dice. Specifically, two dice are rolled and a marker is moved for each number rolled. For example, a player rolling a 3 on one die and a 2 on another die would move a marker three points and a marker two points. These moves may be performed by separate markers or a single marker. Doubles, i.e. dice with matching numbers, result in four moves of the number appearing on the dice.

In moving a marker, a marker may only end a move on a point that is unoccupied, occupied by the player's own markers, or occupied by a single marker belonging to the opponent. In the latter case, the opponent's marker is “hit” and removed to the bar. Rolling certain numbers will allow a hit marker to re-enter the board. A player is not allowed to move any markers until any hit markers have re-entered the board.

A player may start removing or “bearing off” markers from the board when all of his markers are in his inner board. Markers are removed by rolling rolling a die that moves a marker past the 1-point. The first player to remove all his markers from the board is the winner.

As may be appreciated, players like familiar games, such as backgammon, checkers, chess, or the like, because the player knows the rules and equipment associated with the game. However, such games have not been adapted to wagering games suited for play in a casino for a variety of reasons. For example, such games typically use too much time or require the use of complex strategies that would not be conducive to a casino table game setting.

Therefore, it can be seen that there is a need in the art for a method for conducting a wagering game in which a player places a wager, at least one move number is generated, at least one marker is moved, and the wagers are resolved based on the movement of a marker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a method for conducting a wagering game for at least one player. A game board is defined to include an out position separated by one or more intermediary points from a plurality of starting points. At least two of the starting points are separated from the out position by a different number of intermediate point from the out position. In an optional embodiment, at least one marker is located at each starting point designated for wager. For example, in a further optional embodiment, at least two markers are located at each starting position. As discussed in greater detail below, a move number is generated for each marker and the marker is moved one intermediary point for each move in the move number from the starting point toward the out position.

At least one wager is received from a player. The player designates a starting point and at least one of an intermediary point or the out position for each wager. The wagers may take many different forms. For example, in one optional embodiment, the wagers may include a jump wager. In one such optional embodiment, two markers are located at each starting point and the intermediary points are separated by a bar. In such an optional embodiment, a jump wager may be rewarded if both markers at a designated starting point move to an intermediary point separated from the starting point by the bar after a single move number is generated for each marker. Optionally, a jump wager is rewarded based on the number of intermediary points separating the designated starting point from the bar.

In another optional embodiment, the wagers may include a multiple jump wager. In one such optional embodiment, two markers are located at each starting point and the intermediary points are separated by a bar. In such an optional embodiment, the multiple jump wager may be rewarded if both markers from a plurality of starting points move to an intermediary point separated from the starting point by the bar after a single move number is generated for each marker. Optionally, a multiple jump wager is rewarded based on the quantity of starting points from which both markers are moved to an intermediary point separated from the starting point by the bar.

In yet another optional embodiment, the wagers may include an out wager. In one such optional embodiment, two markers are located at each starting point. In such an optional embodiment, the out wager may be rewarded if both markers at the designated starting point move to the out position within a predetermined number of move numbers generated for the markers. Optionally, an out wager is rewarded based on the quantity of sets of move numbers generated for both the markers to reach or pass the out position. In one such optional embodiment, move numbers are generated in sets of two, with one move number used to move one marker, and the other move number used to move the other marker. In such an optional embodiment, an out wager may be rewarded if both markers are moved to the out position within two sets of two move numbers generated. Additionally or alternatively, in an optional embodiment, an out wager may be rewarded if both markers are moved to the out position within three sets of two move numbers generated, wherein at least one of the first two sets of move numbers includes matching move numbers.

In another optional embodiment, the wagers include a multiple out wager. In one such optional embodiment, two markers are located at each starting point. In such an optional embodiment, a multiple out wager may be rewarded if both markers at a plurality of starting points move to the out position within a predetermined number of move numbers generated for the markers.

In an optional embodiment, the method may additionally include move number wagers. In one such optional embodiment, the move numbers are generated in sequential sets of two and the move number wagers may be rewarded if the sets of move numbers generated contain matching move numbers in a designated quantity of consecutive sets.

At least one roll is conducted for each marker. A roll includes generating at least one move number for a marker and moving the marker one intermediary point for each move in the move number in a direction from the starting point toward the out position. In an optional embodiment additional rolls are conducted. For example, in an optional embodiment, additional rolls are conducted until each marker reaches or passes the out position or a maximum number of rolls for those markers is reached.

Wagers are resolved by either issuing a reward to the player if a marker at the designated starting point was moved to the designated intermediary point or out position, or collecting the wager if a marker at the designated starting point did not move to the designated intermediary point or out position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a game board according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a game board with markers placed at five starting points according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a top view of a game board in an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a top view of the game board of FIG. 3A in a continuation of an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a top view of the game board of FIG. 3A in a continuation of an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3D is a top view of the game board of FIG. 3A in a continuation of an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3E is a top view of the game board of FIG. 3A in a continuation of an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3F is a top view of the game board of FIG. 3A in a continuation of an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3G is a top view of the game board of FIG. 3A in a continuation of an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3H is a top view of the game board of FIG. 3A in a continuation of an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3I is a top view of the game board of FIG. 3A in a continuation of an example game according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the present invention includes a method for conducting a wagering game. It is noted that the present method could be applied to any type of game with any type of movement of game pieces or markers. While the figures show an example embodiment applied to a game board 100 reminiscent of backgammon, it is contemplated that the game board could be configured to resemble a checkers or chess board, game board, peg board, or any other type of board. That is, the figures illustrating an example embodiment of the present invention on a game board 100 resembling a backgammon game board should be viewed as illustrative, rather than limiting, as the configuration of the game board could be altered without departing from the scope of the claimed invention.

A game board 100 is defined with a number of starting points 102-106 and an out position 108. Intermediary points 110 separate the starting points 102-106 from the out position. In an optional embodiment, at least two starting points 102-106 are defined that are separated from the out position 108 by a different quantity of intermediary points 110. For example, in the optional embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, five different starting points 102-106 are defined. A first starting point 102 is separated from the out position 108 by seven intermediary points 110, a second starting point 103 is separated from the out position 108 by eight intermediary points 110, a third starting point 104 is separated from the out position 108 by nine intermediary points 110, a fourth starting point 105 is separated from the out position 108 by ten intermediary points 110, and a fifth starting point 106 is separated from the out position 108 by eleven intermediary points 110. In FIGS. 1 and 2, an out position 108 is defined as the area beyond the intermediate points 110.

In an optional embodiment, a bar 118 may be defined to separate intermediate points 110. In the optional embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the bar 118 separates intermediate points 110 into two groups of six. In the optional embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, one group is referred to as the outer board 120 and the other group is referred to as the inner board 130.

Optionally, wagering areas may be included on or near the game board for a player to designate his or her wagers (discussed in greater detail below). In an optional embodiment in which rewards vary depending on the proposition fulfilled, one or more pay tables may be displayed to inform players of the potential pay outs for different propositions.

At least one marker 200 is provided at one or more of the starting points. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, two markers 200 are provided at each of five starting points 102-106.

As discussed in greater detail below, markers 200 are moved based on move numbers from a starting point 102-106 toward an out position 108 along the intermediary points 110. Wagers are placed on, and resolved using, the movement of the markers 200. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, wagers are received 402 from players. In an optional embodiment such as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wagers designate at least one starting point 102-106 and at least one of an intermediate point 110 or an out position 108.

For example, in an optional embodiment, jump wagers are offered. When a jump wager is received from a player, the player designates a starting point 102-106 on which the jump wager is placed. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a player may place a wager in a first jump wager area 112 to designate the first starting point 102 for resolution of the jump wager. Similarly, in the example embodiment shown, a player may place a wager in a second jump wager area 113, a third jump wager area 114, a fourth jump wager area 115, or a fifth jump wager area 116 to designate a second starting point 103, third starting point 104, fourth starting point 105, or fifth starting point 106, respectively, for resolution of a jump wager. In placing a jump wager, the player is wagering that the marker 200 or markers on the designated starting point 102-106 will reach any intermediary point 110 across the bar 118 after a single move number is generated for each marker 200 on the designated starting point 102-106. That is, a jump wager is a proposition designating a starting point 102-106 and any intermediary point 110 across the bar from the designated starting point as the locations of the markers 200 before and after a move number is generated for each.

In an optional embodiment, multiple jump wagers may be offered. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a player may place a multiple jump wager by placing a wager in a multiple jump wager area 132. In such an optional embodiment, a player placing a multiple jump wager is wagering that the marker 200 or markers on multiple starting points 102-106 will move from their respective starting point 102-106 to an intermediary point 110 separated from their respective starting point 102-106 by the bar 118 after a single move number is generated for each marker 200.

In an optional embodiment, out wagers may be offered. In such an optional embodiment, a player placing an out wager designates a starting point for resolution of the out wager. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a player may place a wager in a first out wager area 122 to designate the first starting point 102 for resolution of the out wager. Similarly, in the example embodiment shown, a player may place a wager in a second out wager area 123, a third out wager area 124, a fourth out wager area 125, or a fifth out wager area 126 to designate a second starting point 103, third starting point 104, fourth starting point 105, or fifth starting point 106, respectively, for resolution of an out wager. A player placing an out wager is wagering that the marker 200 or markers on the designated starting point 120-106 will reach the out position 108 within a designated quantity of move numbers generated for each marker 200. Examples of the quantities of move numbers are discussed below.

In an optional embodiment, multiple out wagers may be offered. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a multiple out wager may be placed by placing a wager in a multiple out wager area 134. In such an optional embodiment, a player placing a multiple out wager is wagering that the marker or markers on multiple starting points 102-106 will move from their respective starting points 102-106 to an out position 108 within a designated quantity of move numbers generated for each marker 200.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, markers 200 are moved by generating 404 move numbers. In an optional embodiment, move numbers are randomly generated. For example, a spinner, cards, lots, computer processor programmed to generate random numbers, or other random number generator could be used to generate move numbers. In an optional embodiment a die or multiple dice are used to generate move numbers. In the example of the figures, two markers 200 are located on each starting point 102-106. In one such optional embodiment, move numbers may be generated in sets of two by using a pair of cubic dice, each die having the conventional one to six pips on its six faces. In such an optional embodiment, each set of two move numbers is generated in a roll of the pair of dice.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, using these move numbers, the markers 200 are moved 406 from their respective starting points 102-106 toward the out position 108 along the intermediary points 110. In one optional embodiment in which move numbers are generated in sets of two, one marker 200 is moved one intermediary point 110 for each move in one of the move numbers, while the other marker 200 is moved one intermediary point 110 for each move in the other move number. For example, if a pair of dice is rolled generating the move numbers three and five, one marker 200 is moved three intermediary points 110 and the other marker 200 is moved five intermediary points 110.

Specifically, in one such optional embodiment, the starting points 102-106 are handled singly in series, so that the moves for the markers 200 at a starting point are completed before the moves for the markers 200 at the next starting point are commenced. Optionally, the starting point 102 closest to the out position 108 is played first. Initial move numbers are randomly generated and the markers 200 are moved from the starting point 102 to an intermediary point 110. If the markers 200 have not reached 408 the out position 108 and moves remain 410 for the active starting point 102, move numbers are again generated. Optionally, the marker 200 moved depends on the location of the marker 200 on the game board 100. For example, in one optional embodiment, if the move numbers are not equal and the markers 200 are on different intermediary points 110, the marker 200 further from the out position 108 is moved according to the greater move number, and the marker 200 closer to the out position 108 is moved according to the lesser move number.

In an optional embodiment, the move numbers may be limited by the wagers. For example, in an optional embodiment in which an out wager proposition is fulfilled if the markers 200 are moved from a starting point 102-106 to an out position 108 within two or three move numbers (an embodiment described in greater detail below), but not fulfilled if the markers 200 are moved to an out position 108 in four or more move numbers, a fourth set of move numbers (and in some cases, a third set of move numbers) for those markers 200 may be foregone once it is not possible for that proposition to be fulfilled.

In an optional embodiment, in moving the markers 200 to the out position 108, the player may be allowed to move a marker 200 to the out position 108 if the move number is equal to the distance to the out position 108 or, in an alternate optional embodiment, may be allowed to move a marker to the out position 108 if the move number is greater than, or equal to, the distance to the out position 108. For example, in an optional embodiment, if a marker 200 is separated from the out position 108 by two intermediary points 110, the player may be permitted to move the marker 200 to the out position 108 by obtaining any move number greater than, or equal to, three.

Based on the starting point 102-106, and the quantity of move numbers used to reach certain designated intermediary points 110 and the out position 108, wagers may be resolved 412. For example, in the optional embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, jump wagers may be rewarded if both markers 200 at the starting point wagered upon move to an intermediary point 110 across the bar 118 after a single move number is generated for each marker 200, e.g. after a single move number set is generated. Optionally, the reward issued for jump wagers may vary according to the starting point designated for the jump wager. For example, in an optional embodiment, the reward varies directly with the distance of the starting point 102-106 from the bar 118. An example of such an optional embodiment is shown in Table 1. It is noted that the example of Table 1 is directed to the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 where starting points 102-106 include only the points labeled “2” through “6” (and do not include the point labeled “1”). It is contemplated that the pay outs shown in Table 1 are illustrative only and that the pay outs could vary in size, ratio, or in any other respect from those illustrated:

TABLE 1 Starting Point Pay Out Point 2  3:10 Point 3 1:1 Point 4 5:2 Point 5 7:1 Point 6 30:1 

Similarly, in an optional embodiment, multiple jump wagers may be rewarded if both markers 200 from multiple starting points 102-106 move to an intermediary point 110 across the bar 118 after a single move number is generated for each marker 200, e.g. after a single move number set is generated. In one such optional embodiment, such as that shown in Table 2, the reward issued may depend on the number of starting points 102-106 for which both markers 200 crossed the bar 118 in a single move number. Again, it is contemplated that the pay outs shown in Table 2 are illustrative only and that the pay outs could vary in size, ratio, or in any other respect from those illustrated:

TABLE 2 Quantity of Starting Points Pay Out 3  11:1 4  100:1 5 4000:1

In an optional embodiment, out wagers may be rewarded when both markers 200 from a designated starting point 120-106 are moved to the out position 108 within generating two move numbers for each number. For example, in an optional embodiment in which the move numbers are generated in sets of two, a player would be rewarded if both markers 200 are moved from the starting point designated for the out wager to the out position 108 within the generation of two move number sets. In a further optional embodiment, a player may be rewarded if both markers are moved from the starting point designated for the out wager to the out position 108 within the generation of three move number sets, if at least one of the first two move number sets includes matching move numbers. For example, if the first set of move numbers is [2, 4] and the second set of move numbers is [1, 1], the player of such an optional embodiment would still be eligible to win his or her out wager because a third set of move numbers may be generated as a result of the matching move numbers in the second set. For comparison, in such an embodiment, if the first set of move numbers is [2, 4] and the second set of move numbers is [1, 3], a third set of move numbers would not be generated since neither the first nor second set of move numbers included matching move numbers.

In one such optional embodiment, the reward for out wagers may vary depending on (a) the distance of the starting point designated for the out wager from the out position 108 and (b) the number of move number sets generated for both markers 200 to reach the out position 108. An example of such an optional embodiment is shown in Table 3. Again, it is contemplated that the pay outs shown in Table 3 are illustrative only and that the pay outs could vary in size, ratio, or in any other respect from those illustrated:

TABLE 3 Starting Point 2 Move Number Sets 3 Move Number Sets Point 2 3:2 1:1 Point 3 3:1 2:1 Point 4 7:1 3:1 Point 5 25:1  4:1 Point 6 100:1  8:1

In an optional embodiment, multiple out wagers may be rewarded if markers 200 from multiple starting points 102-106 reach the out position 108 within a designated quantity of move number sets. In an optional embodiment, the designated quantity of move number sets may be the same as the quantity designed for resolution of the out wagers. For example, in an optional embodiment in which the player is rewarded on out wagers when the markers 200 reach the out position in two moves or three moves if one of the first two move number sets includes matching move numbers, the multiple out wagers may have the same limits. That is, in such an optional embodiment, the multiple out wagers may be rewarded if markers 200 from multiple starting points 102-106 reach the out position within the generation of two move number sets, or three move number sets if one of the first two move number sets include matching move numbers. In one such optional embodiment, such as that shown in Table 4, the reward issued may depend on the number of starting points 102-106 for which both markers 200 reach the out position 108 in the designated quantity of moves. Again, it is contemplated that the pay outs shown in Table 4 are illustrative only and that the pay outs could vary in size, ratio, or in any other respect from those illustrated:

TABLE 4 Quantity of Starting Points Pay Out 3  6:1 4  25:1 5 200:1

In an optional embodiment, additional wagers may be offered on the move number sets. For example, in one such optional embodiment players may be permitted to place move number wagers in which the player wagers on the occurrence of matching move numbers within sets over a designated number of sets. Optionally, move number wagers occur only within the generation of the move number sets for a single starting point. That is, in such an optional embodiment, move number wagers are resolved within the moves conducted for a single starting point 102-106, and after the moves for that starting point 102-106 are completed, any remaining move number wagers are collected, and new move number wagers are placed for the next starting point 102-106, if any.

In an optional embodiment, move number wagers may include multiple doubles wagers, which are placed in a multiple doubles wager area 136. For example, the optional embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 include two multiple doubles wagers: “3 Doubles” wagers that are rewarded when three consecutive sets are generated that contain matching move numbers and “2 Doubles” wagers that are rewarded when two consecutive sets are generated that contain matching move numbers. Other move number wagers, such as “3 Equal Doubles” wagers that are rewarded when three consecutive sets are generated that contain the same matching move numbers and “3 Double Sixes” wagers that are rewarded when three consecutive sets are generated that contain matching sixes, may be selected by placing a wager in a three equal doubles wager area 138 and a three double sixes wager area 140, respectively. In one optional embodiment, winning move number wagers may be rewarded as shown in Table 5. As may be appreciated, these move number wagers are illustrative only and may differ in other optional embodiments.

TABLE 5 Move Number Wager Pay Out 3 Doubles 150:1 2 Doubles  10:1 3 Equal Doubles 1000:1  3 Double Sixes 10000:1 

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3H, an example game according to an optional embodiment is described. A game board 100 set up at the commencement of a game is shown in FIG. 3A. According to this optional embodiment, two markers 200 are placed on each of five starting points 102-106. Wagers have been received from one or more players. In this example, an out wager has been received on a first starting point 102, a jump wager and an out wager has been received on a third starting point 104, and a jump wager has been received on a fourth starting point 105. Also, a multiple out wager and a multiple jump wager have been received.

According to this example, the starting points 102-106 are conducted commencing with the starting point 102 closest to the bar 118, e.g. the starting point labeled “2.” Referring to FIG. 3B, this example includes the generation of the move numbers five and two. As noted above, this could result from rolling two dice and reading the numbers “5” and “2” from the upturned faces. As shown in FIG. 3B, one marker 200 from the active starting point 102 is moved five intermediary points 110, and the other marker 200 from the active starting point 102 is moved two intermediary points 110. Since both markers 200 moved to an intermediary point 110 separated from the starting point 102 by the bar 118, any jump wager would have been rewarded in this optional embodiment. However, since no jump wager was placed on a first starting point 102 in this example, no reward is issued for the jump wager proposition for this starting point 102.

In this optional embodiment, the markers 200 from the active starting point, e.g. the first starting point 102, continue to move until reaching the out position 108 or the quantity of moves are exhausted. As shown in FIG. 3C, this example continues with move numbers four and three generated for these markers 200. According to this optional embodiment, the larger number, four, is used to move the marker 200 further from the out position and the smaller number, three, is used to move the marker 200 closer to the out position. Thus, after this move, one marker 200 is moved forward four intermediary points 110 and remains on an intermediary point 110 while the other marker is moved three intermediary points 110 and “out.” According to this optional embodiment, out wagers are rewarded if both markers 200 are moved “out” within two moves or three moves if one of the first two move number sets includes a “double.” In this case, neither of the first two move number sets contained a “double,” so the marker 200 remaining on an intermediary point 110 after two move sets results in a loss of the out wager. In this example, the total quantity of move sets has matched the maximum allowable, so the remaining marker 200 may be removed from the game board with no further turns taken so the next starting point 103 may be conducted.

As shown in FIG. 3D, before the next starting point 103 is conducted, a multiple doubles wager is placed. Specifically, a wager has been placed on two doubles. As previously mentioned, in this optional embodiment, such move number wagers last only through the conduct of a single starting point. Thus, the move number wager will be resolved either as a win or a loss as the second starting point 103 (labeled “3”) is conducted. In this example, a double, in this case a double two, is generated at the second starting point 103, resulting in the move shown in FIG. 3E. As may be appreciated, since the markers 200 did not move to an intermediary point 110 separated from their starting point 103 by the bar 118, any jump wager would have been collected, i.e. the jump proposition for the second starting point was not fulfilled.

In this example, the next roll for the markers 200 from the second starting point 103 results in the generation of a double four and the markers 200 are moved as shown in FIG. 3F. The two double wager placed for this starting point 103 is rewarded. Also, since at least one of the first two move number sets included a double, a third move number set is generated. For the sake of this example, it is assumed that the third move number set included moves that resulted in moving both markers 200 to the out position 108, thereby fulfilling the “out” proposition for this starting point 103. To summarize, the example moves for the second starting point 103 resulted in a reward issued on any out wagers and two doubles wagers, but resulted in a loss of any jump wagers.

The conduct of the third starting point 104 is shown in FIG. 3G. In this example, the first roll results in move numbers five and four. The markers 200 are moved as shown in FIG. 3G and, since both markers occupy intermediary points 110 separated from their starting point 104 by the bar 118, any jump wagers on the third starting point 104 are rewarded. For the sake of brevity, the next move is not illustrated, but in this example, both markers 200 move to the out position 108 on the next roll and any out wagers on the third starting point 104 are rewarded.

Turning to FIG. 3H, the first roll results in generating move numbers five and three. As shown in FIG. 3H, one marker 200 “jumps” the bar 118, but the other does not. In this optional embodiment, the jump wager is collected because the proposition requires that both markers 200 reach an intermediary point 110 across the bar 118 to receive a jump wager reward. Again, for the sake of brevity, the next roll is not shown but, in this example, the out position 108 is not reached, i.e. the next roll is neither a double nor sufficiently large for both markers to reach the out position 108. This being the case, any out wagers on the fourth starting point 105 would have been collected.

The conduct of a fifth starting point 106 is shown in FIG. 3I. In this example, move numbers of three and five have been generated and the markers 200 moved to the positions shown in FIG. 3I. At this point, it is known that the multiple jump proposition has not been fulfilled since both markers 200 from only two of the five starting points 102-106 (starting points labeled “2” and “4”) reached an intermediary point 110 across the bar 118 in their first moves. Since in this example, markers 200 from three or more starting points 102-106 must “jump” the bar 118 to fulfill the multiple jump proposition, no reward is issued and any multiple jump wagers are collected. It is contemplated that the multiple jump wager may be collected (or in other examples, rewarded) at this point, or the resolution of the multiple jump wagers may occur at the end of the game.

The next moves are not shown, but in this example, we assume that a double is obtained on the second roll, and both markers 200 move to an out position 108 on the third roll. In this example, the multiple out wager is rewarded because markers 200 from three of the starting points 102-106 (those labeled “3,” “4,” and “6”) reached the out position 108 in the prescribed number of moves. In such a case, the multiple out wager is rewarded, optionally at 6:1 as shown in the example of Table 4.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described it is to be understood that the present invention is subject to many modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention presented herein. 

1. A method for conducting a wagering game for at least one player comprising: defining a game board including an out position separated by one or more intermediary points from a plurality of starting points, at least two of said starting points separated by a different number of intermediate point from said out position; receiving at least one wager from a player, each said wager designating a starting point and one of an intermediary point or said out position; locating at least one marker on each starting point designated by a wager; for each marker, conducting a move comprising: generating at least one move number for said marker; and moving said marker one intermediary point for each move in said move number in a direction from said starting point toward said out position; and resolving said wager by issuing a reward to said player if a marker at said designated starting point is moved to the designated intermediary point or out position within a within a designated quantity of moves, or collecting said wager if a marker at said designated starting point is not moved to the designated intermediary point or out position within a designated quantity of moves.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein two markers are located at each starting point, said intermediary points are separated by a bar, and said wager includes a jump wager, said jump wager rewarded if both markers at said designated starting point move to an intermediary point separated from said starting point by said bar after a single move number is generated for each marker.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein two markers are located at each starting point, said intermediary points are separated by a bar, and said wager includes a multiple jump wager, said multiple jump wager rewarded if both markers from a plurality of starting points move to an intermediary point separated from said starting point by said bar after a single move number is generated for each marker.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein two markers are located at each starting point and said wager includes an out wager, said out wager rewarded if both markers at said designated starting point move to said out position within a predetermined number of move numbers generated for said markers.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein said move numbers are generated in sets of two, with one move number used to move one marker, and the other move number used to move the other marker.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said out wager is rewarded if both markers are moved to said out position within two sets of two move numbers generated.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein said out wager is rewarded if both markers are moved to said out position within three sets of two move numbers generated, wherein at least one of the first two sets of move numbers includes matching move numbers.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein two markers are located at each starting point and said wager includes a multiple out wager, said multiple out wager rewarded if both markers at a plurality of starting points move to said out position within a predetermined number of move numbers generated for said markers.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein said move numbers are generated in sequential sets of two, said method further comprising move number wagers, said move number wagers rewarded if said sets of move numbers containing matching move numbers in a designated quantity of consecutive sets.
 10. A method for conducting a wagering game for at least one player comprising: defining a game board including an out position separated by one or more intermediary points from a plurality of starting points, at least two of said starting points separated by a different number of intermediate point from said out position; receiving at least one wager from a player, each said wager designating a starting point and one of an intermediary point or said out position; locating at least two markers on each starting point designated by a wager; for each pair of markers, conducting a move comprising: generating a set of two move numbers; and moving one of said markers one intermediary point for each move in one of said move numbers from said starting point toward said out position and moving the other of said markers one intermediary point for each move in the other of said move numbers in a direction from said starting point toward said out position; conducting at least one additional move if both markers have not reached said out position; and resolving said wager by issuing a reward to said player if a marker at said designated starting point is moved to the designated intermediary point or out position within a designated quantity of moves, or collecting said wager if a marker at said designated starting point is not moved to the designated intermediary point or out position within a designated quantity of moves.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said intermediary points are separated by a bar and said wager includes a jump wager, said jump wager rewarded if both markers at said designated starting point move to an intermediary point separated from said starting point by said bar after a single move number is generated for each marker.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said jump wager is rewarded based on the number of intermediary points separating said designated starting point from said bar.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein said intermediary points are separated by a bar and said wager includes a multiple jump wager, said multiple jump wager rewarded if both markers from a plurality of starting points move to an intermediary point separated from said starting point by said bar after a single move number is generated for each marker.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein said multiple jump wager is rewarded based on the quantity of starting points from which both markers are moved to an intermediary point separated from said starting point by said bar.
 15. The method of claim 10 wherein said wager includes an out wager, said out wager rewarded if both markers at said designated starting point move to said out position within a predetermined quantity of sets of move numbers generated for said markers.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said out wager is rewarded based on the quantity of sets of move numbers generated for both said markers to reach or pass said out position.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein said out wager is rewarded if both markers are moved to said out position within two sets of move numbers generated.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein said out wager is rewarded if both markers are moved to said out position within three sets of move numbers generated, wherein at least one of the first two sets of move numbers includes matching move numbers.
 19. The method of claim 10 wherein said wager includes a multiple out wager, said multiple out wager rewarded if both markers at a plurality of starting points move to said out position within a predetermined number of move numbers generated for said markers.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein said multiple out wager is rewarded based on the quantity of starting points from which both markers are moved to or past said out position.
 21. The method of claim 10 wherein said move numbers are generated in sequential sets of two, said method further comprising move number wagers, said move number wagers rewarded if said sets of move numbers containing designated matching move numbers in a designated quantity of consecutive sets. 